Being Grateful In All Things

Being Grateful in All Things

Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:20

First my daughter had a meltdown because no one was sitting next to her in the backseat of the car. Then she had another meltdown when I wouldn’t immediately show her a video of hot lava. “You’re mean, and I don’t like you!” she said. She smacked my leg with her hand while we walked into church, and as a result, lost out on her daily treat. It was only 9:30 a.m., and it was already a hard day.

Our responses to these events were different. She cried loudly all the way into church while friends gave us worried looks or uncertain smiles. I smiled widely and pretended it was fine: Nothing to see here, folks; this is normal! But I knew that, deep inside, we were both feeling a little fragile. As I listened to the sermon echo over the loudspeakers, I thought of a Brené Brown quote: “There is no joy without gratitude.”

Often our ability to externally show kindness toward others is predicated on an internal grateful heart that is moved to compassion. Sometimes, before we can show kindness to others, we need to gauge the true state of our hearts and work on cultivating gratitude. Scripture says that we should give thanks always for all things. Yet how can I be thankful when my child jumps on my very last nerve?

I love how The Message paraphrases that same verse: “Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father.” I try to take that to heart. When I’m feeling frustrated and just want to shout, I try to sing instead. Most often the songs that tumble from my lips are snatches of old hymns, like “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” or “In the Garden,” my Grandma Jo’s favorite. Whenever I sing like this, I notice my children’s reaction: a lot of times they’ll become wide eyed, staring at me as I hum or sing.

Our gratitude for everything in our lives—good things, messy things, even hard things—is an outward expression of the internal change in us and a reflection of God’s love for us.

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Who or what are you grateful for? Verbally express your gratitude to others.